Sustained Operationswas originally

[Music] behind this simple order today in our modern age of air power stand brought new military concepts were out of the trials and Furies of the last great conflict emerged a new power the united states air force spearhead of our nation's defense and offense in battle an indomitable instrument of diplomacy in peace but today as these men and planes fly westward to become a striking power of our overseas forces behind them stands a nation's strong of industry and of moral purpose a nation which must support its men throughout the world for sustained operations realizing the vital role of logistics in war the Air Force prepares now for future emergencies while the Air Group flies alternate routes over the vast Pacific accurate checks are kept of mechanical requirements and of human performance the 30 planes require 1 million gallons of high test gasoline they must transport over 600 trained personnel and to assure their immediate operational preparedness the Air Group carries with it over 54 tons of spare parts and emergency equipment then follows long-range logistics support a parade of fuel tankers and Oilers a stream of highly trained Air Force personnel ground crews technicians doctors clerks administrators and limitless lines of supplies equipment food parts and materials in an age of speed and a shrinking world where distances are measured only in hours this air group soon arrives at its destination Okinawa last bloody battleground of World War two soon after the air group lands they are called together by the Wing Commander to learn of their missions importance in the defense of the nation and in preparation for future emergencies gentlemen we are all assembled in Okinawa for the first time today we are here for several important reasons the first and most important of which is to be part of the striking force for the Far Eastern Air Force further we're going to maintain a quick consumption data but all the supplies and all aircraft parts utilize our er the Far Eastern Sierra that gentlemen is a great importance and I can't stress it too greatly many men died during the war the lack of similar opportunity and experience during that past conflict death and valour were together in this guy many planes were lost and he meant as they paid the heavy price to assure command of the aerial highways our gallant Airmen fought through barricades of placton fighters fulfilling another mission of the air force destroying the enemy and his war potential on the enemy's soils destroying in the air his fighter interception we are reminded of this inevitable sacrifice demanded in any human conflict in flaming Horseman terms but we also lost claim to an enemy equally as dangerous equally as death a formidable foe of logistics almost too little almost too late for these planes in a graveyard some grounded because of insufficient parts and equipment were also just as surely lost from action against the enemy the lack of needed small parts too often prevented their dropping tons of bombs on enemy installations but today our planes are assured of all necessary parts to keep them flying from the material records of the past war and from peacetime research the Air Force has scientifically evaluated and air groups requirements for sustained operations it is based upon a principle that one required sparkplug when missing is more vital than many engines in stock but not needed exact numbers of spare rudders wheels engines cowlings and other vital parts are determined these together with the smaller spare parts conveniently packaged into 10 bins make up the flyaway kit an innovation of supreme importance each air group carries with it three kits totaling 54 tons in all now they may move to any corner of the world on a moment's notice assured of their own self support for sustained operations here at Okinawa these fly awake gets quickly fulfill their purpose the air group must return to base the fierce 50 knot crosswind sweeps the field expert pilots must struggle to keep their planes in line with the script [Music] but one plane straightens out a moment too late damaging a wheel in former times this damage occurring so soon after arrival at an advanced base would have removed this plane from operation today however the scientifically prepared fly awakened as anticipated this emergency in a matter of minutes the plane is again ready for any mission assigned it but sustained operations depend not only upon adequate spare parts and supplies but also upon the technical men who use them in peace as in war the ground crews remain the unsung heroes of the air force in this age of air power wherever planes carry the United States insignia these skilled ground crews stand behind the flying men upon them a well rest success or failure of any mission at Okinawa these crews ready b-29s for the first operational flight their competent hands attend to fueling the skillfully handling of high explosives which will fall at the split second of a bomba dares touch - readying of intricate guns vital defense against enemy aircraft and to servicing all of the complex equipment carried in our modern bombers and fighters the planes ready the group commander calls together all men for briefing on their first operational mission along steady lines of supply from American factories and farms have started to move the flyaway kid has already kept planes prepared the ground crews have done their job now the air crews are ready to perform their mission gentlemen today we start our 90-day training pdy maneuver is directed by Strategic Air Command this is not going to be a picnic it's going to be long hours and long work for everyone the lessons we learned here learned thoroughly can well mean a difference between a crew missing an action and a mission successfully completed when we have completed this 90-day training period I want us to be able to go anywhere at any time and do anything we're directed to do today in this new age of air power and troubled peace these men and planes stand prepared they serve as the nucleus of our nation's air are able to be swiftly activated in time of storm and crisis behind this Air Arm must stand a nation strong of purpose and of industrial might prepared to meet a toughy so that over all mankind may apply our ever vigilant wings of peace [Music]